JP6529483B2 - Radiation imaging system, control device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The disclosure of the present specification relates to a radiation imaging system using a plurality of radiation imaging units.

  One of the imaging methods using a radiation imaging unit such as a film cassette or a CR imaging plate or a digital radiation detector is long imaging for imaging an object larger than the radiation detection area of one radiation imaging unit. .

  In long-length imaging, in addition to a method of performing irradiation of a plurality of shots while moving one radiation imaging unit, there is a method of arranging a plurality of radiation imaging units and performing irradiation of one shot. By appropriately arranging or bonding a plurality of radiation images obtained by these methods, it is possible to obtain an image of a subject larger than the radiation detection area of one radiation imaging unit.

  In a long imaging system using a plurality of radiation imaging units, it is necessary that all of the plurality of radiation imaging units be ready for detecting radiation before irradiating radiation.

  Therefore, the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is a control device for long-length imaging using a plurality of radiation imaging units, and each of the plurality of radiation imaging units is ready for obtaining a radiation image. A communication circuit for receiving from each of the plurality of radiation imaging units state information indicating whether the state is not the first state or the second state that is the state ready for obtaining the radiation image; Both of the first determination that any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the first state and the plurality of radiation imaging units based on the state information from each of the plurality of radiation imaging units Controlling the display of the display unit according to determination means for performing a second determination that the second state is the second state and whether the determination by the determination means is a first determination or a second determination Display control means It is characterized in.

  This makes it possible to clearly indicate whether or not long-length shooting is possible, and to improve the shooting efficiency.

It is a figure showing composition of an information system including a radiation imaging system concerning an embodiment. It is a figure showing composition of a long picture-shooting system concerning an embodiment. It is a figure showing composition of a radiography part concerning an embodiment. It is a figure showing composition of a control device concerning an embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a display screen concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which concerns on elongate photography which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function which control device 104 concerning an embodiment has. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of display processing concerning an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the display process which concerns on other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the display process which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen. (A) is an example of a display screen according to one of the embodiments, (b) is an example of a display screen according to another embodiment, and (c) is information displayed according to an operation input on the display screen And (d) is an example of a display screen according to another embodiment. It is an example of the state display of the several radiography part which concerns on another display part.

  A radiation imaging system according to the embodiment will be described based on FIG. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an information system including an elongated imaging system using X-rays as radiation, which is an example of a radiation imaging system. The information system includes, for example, a radiation imaging system, RIS 151, WS 152, PACS 153, Viewer 154, and Printer 155. The RIS (Radiology Information System) 151 is a system that manages the order of radiography, and transmits the order of radiography to the radiography system. A work station (WS) 152 is an image processing terminal, which processes a radiation image captured by a radiation imaging system to obtain an image for diagnosis. A Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) 153 is a database system including medical images from a radiography system or other modality (medical imaging system or medical imaging apparatus). The PACS 153 includes a storage unit that stores medical images and incidental information such as imaging conditions of such medical images, and a controller that manages information stored in the storage unit. The Viewer 154 is a terminal for image diagnosis, reads an image stored in the PACS 153 or the like, and displays the image for diagnosis. The printer 155 is, for example, a film printer, and outputs the image stored in the PACS 153 as a film.

  The long radiographing system, which is an example of a radiography system, includes a radiation generating unit 100, a gantry 101, a plurality of radiographing units 102a, 102b, 102c (or cassettes A, cassettes B, cassettes C), relays 103 and , And a touch panel monitor 108 which doubles as a display unit and an operation unit, and these are connected to each other by a cable. The radiation generation unit 100 simultaneously irradiates radiation to a plurality of radiation imaging units. When a plurality of radiation imaging units are irradiated with radiation, the plurality of radiation imaging units obtain radiation images, and the plurality of radiation images are transmitted to the control device 104 via the repeater 103.

  The control device 104 is, for example, an electronic computer (PC: Personal Computer) in which a desired software program is installed, and generates a long image by performing image processing including a bonding process on the plurality of radiation images. Further, the control device 104 causes the touch panel monitor 108 to display this long image. In this manner, long radiographing in which radiation is simultaneously irradiated to a plurality of radiographing units is performed. Furthermore, the control device 104 generates a DICOM image based on the long image and incidental information such as the imaging condition of the long image. Then, the control device 104 transmits the DICOM image to the WS 152 or PACS 153.

  The imaging order for long imaging is transmitted from the RIS 151 to the control device 104, for example. In this case, the control device 104 receives from the RIS 151 the imaging information ID indicating long imaging, and information on the imaging region that requires long imaging such as all legs and all spines, and the imaging conditions corresponding to the received information It reads from the storage unit of the control device 104. Alternatively, imaging information including information on an imaging region, an imaging method, and imaging conditions may be obtained from an operation input via the touch panel monitor 108.

  In addition to the touch panel monitor 108, an operation unit such as a mouse or a keyboard may be connected to the control device 104.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation imaging units 102a, 102b and 102c are arranged such that the imaging region of the radiation imaging unit 102a and the imaging region of the radiation imaging unit 102b partially overlap so that the imaging regions are continuous. Ru. As a result, a predetermined structure is reflected in the radiation image obtained by the radiation acquisition unit 102b. In the gantry 101 according to the embodiment, among the radiation imaging units disposed in order, only the radiation imaging unit disposed in the center is disposed at a position farther from the radiation generating unit 100 than the other radiation imaging units, and imaging The areas are arranged so as to partially overlap. Such an arrangement can reduce the number of radiation images in which a structure is captured.

  The radiation image in which the structure is reflected is corrected by, for example, the control device 104 or the radiation imaging unit 102 by using correction data for structure correction that is separately obtained, and the reflected structure is reduced.

  The detail of the structure of the elongate imaging system which concerns on embodiment based on FIG. 2 is demonstrated. The radiation generating unit 100 includes a radiation irradiating unit 100a including an aperture for setting an irradiation range of radiation, a radiation source generating radiation, and a generation control unit 100b controlling irradiation of the radiation of the radiation irradiating unit 100a. An irradiation switch is further connected to the generation control unit 100b, and a signal instructing the start timing of the irradiation is input to the generation control unit 100b. The radiation generation unit 100 may further include an interface unit 203 in communication with the radiation imaging unit 102. In this case, the radiation generation unit 100 and the gantry 101 are mutually connected by a network cable 205e such as Ethernet (registered trademark). It is connected communicably. The control device 104 is communicably connected to each other by the rack 101 and the network cable 205d.

  The gantry 101 is a holding unit that fixes a plurality of radiation imaging units in order to perform long-length imaging. In one embodiment, there are three positions at which the radiation imaging unit 102 is fixed. A storage unit 201 for storing the imaging unit 102 and a gantry connector 206 are included. When the radiation imaging unit 102 is fixed to the storage unit 201, the position of each connector is determined such that the gantry connector 206 and the imaging unit connector 107 are fitted.

  Storage units 201a, 201b and 201c for storing the radiation imaging unit 102, gantry connectors 206a, 206b and 206c disposed along the side wall of the storage unit for wired connection with the radiation imaging unit 102, relay 103 (network And a switch).

  The mount connectors 206a, 206b and 206c are connected to the repeater 103 by network cables 205a, 205b and 205c, respectively. The mount connectors 206a, 206b and 206c are respectively connected to the imaging unit connector 107 of the radiation imaging unit. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the imaging unit connector 107b of the radiation imaging unit 102b is a gantry connector 206a, the imaging unit connector 107c of the radiation imaging unit 102c is a gantry connector 206b, and the imaging unit connector 107a of the radiation imaging unit 102a is a gantry connector 206c. And connect respectively.

  The relay unit 103 is a network switch, and one of the plurality of physical ports is drawn out of the gantry 101 so that it can be connected to the control device 104. This port is fixedly wired so as to be connected to the communication port of the control device 104 when the gantry 101 and the control device 104 are installed in the use environment of the user. The remaining ports are wired so as to connect the gantry connector 206 at the cassette fixed position. Since this wiring is wired and fixed at the time of manufacture of the gantry 101, the correspondence between the gantry connector 206 and the physical port of the repeater 103 does not change during use of the user.

  The gantry 101 may further include a power source 207 for supplying power to the radiation imaging unit 102. In this case, two cables of a network cable and a power cable are connected to the mount connectors 206a, 206b, and 206c. Note that instead of the power supply 207, power supply units 202a, 202b, 202c may be provided for each of the storage units 201a, 201b, 201c. In this case, a communication cable and a power cable form two systems between the gantry connector 201 and the power supply unit 202, and a communication cable is connected between the power supply unit 202 and the relay 103.

  The radiation images from the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c are transmitted to the control device 104 via the imaging unit connectors 107a to 107c, the gantry connectors 206a to 206c, and the relay unit 103.

  Here, in another embodiment, instead of the photographing unit connector 107 and the gantry connector 206, a photographing unit connection unit and a gantry connection unit for performing short distance wireless communication such as TransferJet may be provided. Alternatively, the radiation imaging unit 102 may directly communicate wirelessly with the relay device 103 without using the gantry connector 206 or the like. In this case, the radiation imaging unit 102 wirelessly communicates with the gantry 101 and the relay 103, and the communication path between the radiation imaging unit 102 and the control device 104 is partially wireless.

  The relay unit 103 is disposed inside the gantry 101, but is not limited to this, and may be disposed outside the gantry 101. Further, the communication path between the repeater 103 and the radiation generation unit 100, and the repeater and the control device 100 may be wireless.

  In order to perform long-length imaging, the radiation imaging unit 102 is attached and fixed to each fixed position of the long-length imaging stand 101. Thereby, the gantry connector 206 and the imaging unit connector 107 are fitted. As a result, each main control circuit in each radiation imaging unit 102 is connected to the relay 103 via the imaging unit connector 107, the mount connector 206, and the network cable 205. As a result, a network including the radiation imaging units 102 a to 102 c and the control device 104 is formed. The radiation imaging unit 102 and the relay 103 are detachably connected to each other by fitting the imaging unit connector 107 and the gantry connector 206.

  The formation of the network enables communication between each cassette and the control device 104, and control communication with each cassette by software of the control device 104 starts. By this control communication, it is recognized from the software of the control device 104 that the radiation imaging units 102 are attached to the gantry 101, and the attachment positions of the cassettes on the holder are also recognized. The process of position recognition will be described later.

  When the user completes the mounting operation and the normal mounting can be confirmed on the software, the software displays a preparation completion on the touch panel monitor 108 connected to the control device 104. The user confirms the display of preparation completion and carries out shooting. As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging is performed in such a manner that the subject is placed in front of the gantry 101, and a wide range of objects straddling a plurality of radiation imaging units 102 are reflected by a single irradiation of radiation.

  When photographing is performed, the main control circuit 150 of each cassette scans the two-dimensional image sensor 120 to generate image data. The generated image data is transferred to the control device 104. In this case, transfer may be performed using a communication path via the wired communication circuit 180 incorporated in the radiation imaging unit 102, the imaging unit connector 107, the mount connector 206, and the like. Alternatively, transfer may be performed via a wireless communication circuit 160 built in the radiation imaging unit 102 and a wireless access point (not shown) connected to the control device 104.

  The control device 104 performs image processing to rearrange the images received from the respective radiation imaging units 102 with reference to the recognition information of the mounting position of the cassette, and combine and combine them. The synthesized image is provided to the user as a long image pickup image including a wide range of subject information.

  The configuration of a radiation imaging unit (radiation imaging apparatus) 102 according to the embodiment will be described based on FIG. The radiation imaging unit 102 includes a radiation sensor 110, a drive circuit 130, a readout circuit 170, a main control circuit 150, a wireless communication circuit 160, a wired communication circuit 170, an imaging unit connector 107, and a power supply circuit 190. Have. The radiation sensor 110 has a two-dimensional imaging element 120. Two-dimensional image sensor 120 includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, a row selection line commonly connected to the pixels arranged in the row direction, and transmitting a drive signal from drive circuit 130, and And a column signal line commonly connected to the arranged pixels and transmitting an image signal to the read out circuit 170. A bias power supply 140 is connected to each pixel of the two-dimensional image sensor 120. The pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element having one end connected to the bias power supply 140, and a switching element connected to the other end of the photoelectric conversion element. The base electrode of the switching element is connected to the row selection line, and the photoelectric conversion element and the column signal line are connected to the collector and the emitter. The two-dimensional imaging device 120 generates an image based on the intensity distribution of the radiation incident on the imaging device.

  The radiation sensor 110 may further include a switching element that connects a plurality of pixels, and may have a binning circuit that integrates image signals. For example, the switching element is connected to four adjacent two pixels vertically and 2 pixels horizontally. This allows the image signal to be integrated prior to digitization.

  The drive circuit 130 controls the on / off of the switching element by outputting a drive signal. When the switching element is turned off, an image signal is accumulated in the parasitic capacitance of the photoelectric conversion element or the like, and when the switching element is turned on, the image signal is output through the column signal line. The readout circuit 170 includes an amplifier for amplifying the image signal output from the radiation sensor 110 and an A / D converter for converting it into a digital signal, and these are read out as a digital signal.

  The drive circuit 130 performs control of collectively providing an off voltage to row selection lines corresponding to each row of the pixel array and control of sequentially applying an on voltage. The radiation sensor 110 is shifted to the accumulation state by the off voltage. The signal of the pixel array is sequentially output to the readout circuit 170 by control to sequentially apply the on voltage. As a result, the initialization operation of the pixel array before transition to the accumulation state and the readout operation of the image signal obtained by the accumulation are performed.

  Here, the drive circuit 130 may execute interlaced driving in which the on voltage is sequentially applied to the 2n−1 rows, ie, the even rows, after the on voltage is sequentially applied to the 2n rows, ie, the even rows. This realizes thinning-out reading of the image signal. Here, the thinning-out drive is not limited to the case where it is performed every other row as described above, and may be performed every two rows or every m−1 rows. A desired value is adopted as the rate of such thinning. Note that the drive circuit 130 may sequentially apply the on voltage to the mn row, the mn + 1 row, the mn + 2 row,..., The mn + (m-1) row, where the thinning ratio is m-1.

  Alternatively, partial reading of an image signal may be performed in which an image signal obtained at a pixel near the center of the pixel array is output in advance. In this case, assuming that the pixel array has M rows and N columns, M / 2 × N / 2 image signals of M / 4 + 1 rows to 3M / 4 rows and N / 4 + 1 columns to 3N / 4 columns are output. The above-described operation performed by drive circuit 130 is performed under the control of main control circuit 150.

  The main control circuit 150 controls the radiation imaging unit 102 in an integrated manner. Further, the main control circuit 150 has a processing circuit implemented by the FPGA 156, and thereby generates a radiation image and performs image processing. Here, in the FPGA 156, when obtaining a digital radiation image, for example, a binning process of summing up adjacent 2 × 2 pixel values, a thinning process of thinning out some pixels, and a process of extracting continuous areas Thus, it is possible to carry out processing to obtain an image with a small amount of data.

  Image processing performed by the FPGA 156 includes dark correction to reduce dark current components of a radiation image, gain correction to correct variations in input / output characteristics of pixels, correction to defective pixels, processing to reduce noise such as line noise, Etc.

  The wireless communication circuit 160 and the wired communication circuit 170 can exchange control instructions and data such as signals from the control device 104 and the radiation generation unit 100. The wireless communication circuit 160 also transmits a signal indicating the state of the radiation imaging unit 102 and a radiation image. The wireless communication circuit 160 has an antenna and mainly performs wireless communication when the wired cable is not connected to the photographing unit connector 107. A photographing unit connector 107 is connected to the wired communication circuit 170 and controls wired communication. The connector 107 is provided for communication and power supply, and the communication information is sent to the wired communication circuit 170 and the power is sent to the power supply circuit 190. The power supply circuit 190 has a battery, generates a voltage necessary for the operation of the radiation imaging unit 102, and supplies the voltage to each unit. The main control circuit 150 designates which of the wireless and wired communication methods is to be used. For example, when a wired cable is connected to the connector 107, wired communication is designated, and although a wired cable is not connected, wireless communication is designated when a wireless communication connection is established. If the wired cable is not connected and the wireless communication connection is not established, either communication method is not specified. In this case, for example, the radiation image is not transmitted, and the radiation image is stored in the non-volatile memory connected to the main control circuit 150.

  When a communication method is designated and a radiation image is transmitted, the main control circuit 150 transfers a preview image having a smaller amount of data than the radiation image obtained by the radiation sensor 110 prior to the radiation image. Then, after the transmission of the preview image is completed, the main control circuit 150 transmits an image including data not included in the preview image.

  As a result, the control device 104 can quickly confirm whether the imaging was appropriate. Here, the preview image or an image including data not included in the preview image may be transmitted according to the reading of the image signal by the reading circuit 170 and the generation of the preview image by the main control circuit 150. Alternatively, it may be transmitted in response to a signal from the control device 104. As described above, the control device 104 controls the communication with the plurality of radiation imaging units, thereby reducing the influence of the large amount of data being simultaneously transmitted from the plurality of radiation imaging units, and realizing efficient image communication. can do.

  Note that when there is a wired connection or when the communication capacity is sufficiently large, there may be cases where the influence on the communication is unlikely to occur, so an image of the image is selected according to the communication method between the control device 104 and the radiation imaging unit 102. The transmission method may be changed.

  In the first state in which power is supplied only to the wireless communication circuit 160 and the wired communication circuit 170 and no power is supplied from the bias power supply 140 to the two-dimensional imaging device 120 in one of the states of the radiation imaging unit 102 (so-called sleep state) There is. In addition, there is a second state in which power is supplied from the bias power source 140 to the two-dimensional imaging element 120. In the second state, the initialization operation is completely executed, and generation of an image is possible by transitioning to an accumulation state in response to an external instruction. The radiation imaging unit 102 transmits a signal indicating the above-mentioned state in response to a request signal from the outside.

  When the radiation generation unit 100 is provided with the interface unit 203, synchronous communication is performed between the radiation generation unit 100 and the radiation imaging unit 102. In response to the depression of the irradiation switch, the interface unit 203 transmits a first signal to each of the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c. In response to the first signal, the drive circuit 130 of each of the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c causes the two-dimensional imaging device 120 to perform an initialization operation to shift the two-dimensional imaging device 120 to the storage state. Each of the radiation imaging units 102 a to 102 c transmits a second signal to the interface unit 203 in response to the completion of initialization and the transition to the accumulation state. The interface unit 203 determines whether or not the second signal from all of the radiation imaging units used for certain long-distance imaging has been received, and when it is determined that the second signal has been received, the generation control unit 100b is irradiated. Input the permission signal. Radiation is emitted from the radiation irradiator 100 a in response to this. By doing this, radiation irradiation before the radiation imaging unit 102 shifts to the accumulation state can be prevented from being performed, and waste exposure can be reduced.

  When the interface unit 203 is not provided, the radiation generation unit 100 emits radiation in response to pressing of the irradiation switch. The radiation imaging unit 102 detects the start of the radiation application and shifts to the accumulation state. The detection of the irradiation start by the radiation imaging unit 102 may be performed based on a signal obtained by the two-dimensional imaging device 120, or may be performed by a sensor provided separately from the radiation sensor 110 for detecting the irradiation start. Good.

  The main control circuit 150 designates either of the first imaging mode in which synchronous communication is performed and the second imaging mode in which radiation detection is performed by an external signal.

  The configuration of the control device according to the embodiment will be described based on FIG. The control device 104 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 401, a random access memory (RAM) 402, a storage unit 403, a read only memory (ROM) 404, a network interface card (NIC) 405, and a graphic processing unit (GPU). ), A USB (Universal Serial Bus) 407, and a communication I / F (Interface) 408, which are communicably connected by an internal bus. The CPU 401 is a control circuit that integrally controls the control device 104 and the components connected thereto, and may have a plurality of CPUs. The RAM 402 is a program stored in the storage unit 403 or the like for executing processing such as processing shown in FIG. 6 described later, and a memory for expanding each week parameter. The processing according to the embodiment is realized by the CPU 401 sequentially executing instructions included in the program expanded in the RAM 402. The storage unit 403 is, for example, a memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and the program described above, a radiation image such as a long image obtained by imaging, imaging order and imaging information, and various other parameters. Is stored. The NIC 405 is an example of a communication unit that communicates with an external device. The control device 104 according to the embodiment has a first NIC 405a and a second NIC 405b, and the first NIC 405a is connected to the in-hospital AP (Access Point) 410 for connecting to the in-hospital network. The NIC 405 b is connected to a repeater 103 that relays communication of the radiation imaging system. The GPU 406 is an image processing unit, executes image processing according to control from the CPU 401, and an image obtained as a result of the image processing is output to the touch panel monitor 108 and displayed. A USB 407 is a communication unit that acquires information of an operation input from the touch panel monitor 108, and is interpreted by the CPU 401 as an operation input. The communication I / F 408 is, for example, a communication unit such as RS232C, Ethernet (registered trademark), or USB, communicates with the dosemeter (dosemeter) 409, and receives dose information.

  The programs stored in the storage unit 403 include, for example, an FPD (radiation imaging unit) arrangement acquisition module 431, a communication control module 432, a display control module 433, an imaging control module 434, a long image generation module 435, and correction. And a module 436.

  The FPD placement acquisition module 431 obtains information indicating the placement relationship of a plurality of radiation imaging units used for one long radiographing. Here, the information indicating the arrangement relationship is, for example, information that the radiation imaging units 102a, 102b, and 102c are arranged in this order, and information that the radiation imaging unit 102b is disposed in the middle. Here, information indicating the rotation state of the radiation imaging units 102a, 102b, and 102c may be included. The information indicating the arrangement relationship is, for example, information indicating the correspondence between the communication route of the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c received by the second NIC 405b and the communication route stored in the storage unit 403 and the arrangement. And are acquired by the CPU 401. For example, when the gantry connectors 206a to 206c are fixedly arranged with respect to the storage units 201a to 201c as shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement of a plurality of radiation imaging units is specified by referring to the information of the communication path. be able to. For example, when the repeater 103 is a layer 2 network switch, the communication path information obtains the correspondence between the radiation imaging unit 102 and the physical port by using the learning operation of physical port to MAC address by the repeater 103.

  The information indicating the arrangement relationship acquired in this manner is stored in the storage unit 403. Alternatively, the second NIC 405 b may receive the information indicating the arrangement relationship itself. In this case, the repeater 103 or the gantry 101 has a function of acquiring information indicating the arrangement relationship based on the information of the communication path and the like.

  The information indicating the arrangement relationship is referred to, for example, in the process of executing the long image generation module 435, and is used for the bonding process of a plurality of radiation images. The information indicating the arrangement relationship in this case is information for specifying which radiation image and which radiation image have an overlapping area. Further, the information indicating the arrangement relationship is referred to by the CPU 401, for example, in the process of executing the correction module 436 to determine, for which radiation image, the correction process for removing the reflected structure is to be performed. In this case, the information indicating the arrangement relationship is information for specifying in which image from the radiation imaging unit a structure is reflected, and in the imaging system shown in FIG. It becomes information for specifying whether is placed at the center.

  The communication control module 432 controls communication by the first NIC 405 a and the second NIC 405 b. When the communication control module 432 is executed, for example, a signal for causing the state of the plurality of radiation imaging units to transition to the second state is transmitted to the radiation imaging unit in response to an operation input from the touch panel monitor 108 or the like. . The operation input is performed, for example, in response to the CPU 401 designating the imaging condition by an operation input for selecting one of a plurality of imaging conditions included in the imaging order. Thereby, the second NIC 405b transmits a signal for causing a state transition to the radiation imaging unit. The second NIC 405b receives a response signal to this.

  Further, by executing the communication control module 432, for example, a radiation image is received from each of the plurality of radiation imaging units 102a to 102c. At this time, first, a preview image (first image) with a small amount of data is received from the plurality of radiation imaging units, and then an image (second image) including the remaining data is received. In this case, when the preview image (first image) is received from one radiation imaging unit, the reception of the first or second image from the other radiation imaging units is restricted. Therefore, each radiation imaging unit performs transmission of an image according to an instruction from the control device 104. For example, according to completion of reception of preview images (first images) from all radiation imaging units. It instructs to transmit the second image to the first radiographing unit. As a result, large volumes of data are not simultaneously transmitted from the plurality of imaging units to the repeater 103, and communication efficiency is improved.

  In addition to the transmission method (second transmission method) for transmitting the image according to the instruction signal as described above, the radiation imaging unit side transmits a radiation image for transmitting the radiation image according to reading of the image signal (second One transmission scheme is also feasible. The transmission scheme to be performed is designated, for example, in response to a signal from the control device 104. For example, when the radiation imaging unit 102 performs wireless communication, the first transmission method is designated, and when the radiation imaging unit 102 performs wired communication, the second transmission method is designated. As described above, when the transmission method is specified according to the communication mode, the radiation imaging unit 102 can specify the transmission method without using an external signal.

  In addition, by executing the communication control module 432, the CPU 401 causes the PACS 153 to transmit a DICOM image file including a radiation image obtained by radiation imaging or long-distance imaging via the first NIC 405a.

  In one embodiment, the FPGA 156 of the radiation imaging unit 102 performs correction processing of the structure transferred to the radiation image. In this case, in the process of executing the communication control module 432, the CPU 401 designates a radiation imaging unit that is to execute the process of correcting the structural unit among the plurality of radiation imaging units. For example, the radiation imaging unit 102b disposed in the middle illustrated in FIG. 1 is designated using information indicating the arrangement relationship. Then, the CPU 401 causes the second NIC 405 b to transmit an instruction signal for causing the radiation imaging unit 102 b to execute the structure correction process.

  The display control module 433 is used for processing for controlling the content of the display screen displayed on the touch panel monitor 108. For example, processing for displaying shooting conditions for long shooting on a display screen, and processing for displaying generated long images. Further, with such a module, the CPU 401 determines whether any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the first state or the plurality of radiation imagings based on the information indicating the state of each of the plurality of radiation imaging units 102a to 102c. It is determined whether all of the units are in the second state. And according to the said determination, the display of the touch-panel monitor 108 is controlled. Here, the second NIC 405 b is in a first state not ready for obtaining a radiation image for each of a plurality of radiation imaging units, or is ready for obtaining a radiation image. Receive state information indicating whether it is in the second state. The CPU 401 determines whether any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the first state or whether any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the second state.

  By doing this, the user is not allowed to display the state of each radiation imaging unit individually, but to display a display indicating whether all the radiation imaging units are in an imaging enable state, allowing the user to perform long imaging. It can be intuitively grasped whether it is possible or not. Of course, if a display showing the state of each radiation imaging unit is also displayed together with a display indicating whether all the radiation imaging units are in a state capable of imaging, for example, one radiation imaging unit It becomes easier to take measures when shooting is not possible.

  The imaging control module 434 is a program for causing the CPU 401 to integrally control the execution of radiation imaging including long imaging. For example, the imaging control module 434 performs designation of imaging conditions according to the operation input, transmission of a signal requesting the state of each part of the radiation imaging unit, and control of reception of a radiation image.

  The long image generation module 435 generates a long image from a plurality of radiation images using the CPU 401 and the GPU 406. The long image is generated by alignment processing for aligning the positional relationship of a plurality of radiation images. The alignment processing includes coarse adjustment processing for determining the rough arrangement of the images, and fine adjustment processing for adjusting the position between the images with an accuracy of several pixels or less than one pixel.

  The rough adjustment process is a process of determining which end of each radiation image corresponds to which end using information indicating the arrangement relationship of the plurality of radiation imaging units 102 a to 102 c. The arrangement | positioning information obtained by the process by the FPD arrangement | positioning acquisition module 431 is used for this. The fine adjustment processing is performed by, for example, pattern matching processing using image information of a region overlapping with a plurality of radiation images. Such processing may be performed after processing by the correction module 436.

  The correction module 436 performs processing of correcting the influence of the characteristics of the sensor using the CPU 401 and the GPU 406 and correction processing of reducing the structure reflected in the radiation image. The correction process of the sensor characteristics includes, for example, a process of correcting variations in input / output characteristics of each pixel and effects of defective pixels, etc., using data such as gain correction data and defect map obtained in advance. . Correction data for reducing structures is used in the correction process for reducing the structures that are captured. Such correction data can be obtained by dividing data obtained by imaging with the same imaging system as the imaging system of the radiation image and without arranging the object by division by data for gain correction or subtraction after log conversion. The correction data may be stored in advance in the radiation imaging unit 102 at the time of factory shipment or the like, or may be acquired before long imaging is performed in each hospital.

  In still another embodiment, the control device 104 is provided with the function of the repeater 103. In this case, for example, three second NICs 405b communicating with the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c are provided, and a cable connected to the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c is directly connected to the control device 104.

  The display screen according to the embodiment will be described based on FIG. On the display screen 500, an image area 501 in which a radiation image is displayed, a subject area 502 in which information of a subject is displayed, an imaging information area 503 in which imaging information is displayed, an end button 504, And a state area 507 in which information indicating the states of the plurality of radiation imaging units is displayed. The example shown in FIG. 5 shows a display screen after a plurality of long images have been already taken, in the case where a plurality of long images are taken. In the image area 501, a long image 508 is displayed. In the subject area 502, information of the subject A is displayed. In the imaging information area 503, as imaging information 505, imaging information 505a of the imaging region of all spines and imaging information 505b of the imaging regions of all lower legs are displayed. As the imaging information 505, information on the imaging region and the number of radiation imaging units used for the long imaging are displayed side by side. The imaging information 505a is imaging information that has already been imaged, and thumbnails of radiation images from a plurality of radiation imaging units are arranged and displayed in an arrangement according to the arrangement relationship of the radiation imaging units. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the thumbnail 506b of the radiation image from the radiation imaging unit 102b, the thumbnail 506c of the radiation image from the radiation imaging unit 102c, and the thumbnail 506a of the radiation image from the radiation imaging unit 102a are in this order It is displayed side by side. As described above, since the thumbnails are arranged based on the arrangement information, it is easy to check whether or not the long shooting has been properly performed. On the other hand, if there is an error in the arrangement information, the thumbnails will not be appropriately arranged, so it is possible to notify the user whether the arrangement information is appropriate or not.

  On the other hand, the imaging information 505 b is imaging information before imaging is performed, and a display indicating the arrangement relationship of a plurality of radiation imaging units is displayed instead of the thumbnails. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a display ("FPD B") 507b corresponding to the radiation imaging unit 102b, a display ("FPD C") 507c corresponding to the radiation imaging unit 102c, and a display (corresponding to the radiation imaging unit 102a) “FPD A”) 507 a are arranged and displayed so as to be display positions according to the arrangement relationship of the radiation imaging unit. Thereby, before imaging | photography, it can be confirmed by the touch-panel monitor 108 of the control apparatus 104 whether the radiation imaging part is arrange | positioned appropriately. Here, the states of the radiation imaging units 102 a to 102 c may be displayed by the displays 507 a to 507 c.

  In the status area 507, information indicating the status of a plurality of radiation imaging units is displayed. The radiation imaging unit on which the information indicating the state is displayed may be a radiation imaging unit corresponding to the imaging condition currently designated. As shown in FIG. 5, when the imaging conditions for long imaging are designated, information indicating the states of the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c is displayed. Here, in the state area 507, information indicating the state of the plurality of radiation imaging units is arranged and displayed on the display screen 500 at the display position according to the arrangement state of the plurality of radiation imaging units. For example, when the radiation imaging unit 102b and the radiation imaging unit 102c are interchanged in the state shown in FIG. 5, the state area 507 displays the states of the radiation imaging units 102c, 102b, and 102a in this order. The Rukoto. By doing this, the user can easily confirm the arrangement relationship of the plurality of radiation imaging units.

  The end button 504 is a button for ending an examination related to a plurality of pieces of imaging information displayed on the display screen 500. If the end button is pressed in a state in which the imaging corresponding to all the imaging information included in the examination is completed, the examination ends. In this case, the CPU 401 creates a DICOM image file of a radiation image related to the examination, and causes the first NIC 405 a to transmit the file to the PACS 154. On the other hand, when the end button is pressed in a state where the imaging corresponding to the imaging information included in the examination is not completed, the examination is put on hold and stored in the storage unit 403 together with flag information indicating the put on state. Ru.

  Here, the states of the individual radiation imaging units may be displayed on the displays 507a to 507c, and the state area 507 may clearly indicate whether or not imaging can be performed as a display indicating whether long-length imaging is possible or not. . In this case, if any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is not in the first state, that is, in a state ready for obtaining a radiation image, the state area 507 sets the color of the state area 507 to, for example, gray. . For example, in addition to this, the characters "not Ready" are displayed. This clearly indicates that long-length shooting is not permitted. If all of the plurality of radiation imaging units are in the second state ready for obtaining a radiation image, the color of the state area 507 is, for example, green, and in addition to this, the characters "Ready" Display. This clearly indicates that long-length shooting is permitted. In this manner, the display on the touch panel monitor 108 is controlled according to whether any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the first state or whether any of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the second state. Clearly indicate the possibility of shooting.

  A flow of processing relating to long-length shooting according to the embodiment will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. The main processing of the following processing is the CPU 401 of the control device 104 unless otherwise noted. The flow of processing in steps S601 to S612 is controlled by the imaging control module 434.

  In step S601, one of the imaging information (inspection information) from the RIS 151 is set as an inspection target. In this process, for example, the imaging information (examination information) is set as an imaging target in response to an operation input by which the user selects one of a plurality of examination information displayed in a list format. Here, for example, the CPU 401 executes the display control module 433 to display the display screen 500 on the display unit.

  In step S602, it is determined whether or not there has been an operation input for selecting imaging conditions for long-length imaging included in imaging information (examination information). Here, when a plurality of imaging conditions are included in the imaging information (examination information), information corresponding to the plurality of imaging conditions is displayed in the imaging information area of the display screen 500, and one of the information from the user is displayed. It is determined whether or not there is an operation input to be selected. The determination process of step S602 is repeated until there is an operation input to be selected, and when there is an operation input to be selected, the process proceeds to the next processing. If the shooting information (examination information) includes a shooting condition corresponding to the shooting in (1), the process may automatically proceed to step S603 regardless of the process of step S602.

  In step S603, the CPU 401 designates the shooting conditions for long shooting selected by the operation input. Then, in response to the designation, the CPU 401 transmits, to the second NIC 405 b, a signal for causing transition to the preparation state to the plurality of radiation imaging units related to the long image capturing. In response to this, when no bias voltage is applied to the two-dimensional imaging device 120, each radiation imaging unit 102 controls the bias power supply 140 by the main control circuit 150 to apply a bias voltage to the two-dimensional imaging device 120. Do. After that, in order to read out the dark current signal accumulated in the pixel, the drive circuit 130 performs initialization for reading out the image signal from the pixel array. After completion of initialization, the radiation imaging unit 102 indicates a state in which each of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in a second state in which preparation for obtaining a radiation image is completed after completion of initialization. The information is sent to the controller 104.

  In step S604, the CPU 401 acquires arrangement information indicating an arrangement relationship of a plurality of radiation imaging units used for long-length imaging. For example, in the case of a system as shown in FIG. 1, information on communication paths of each of a plurality of radiation imaging units is acquired from the repeater 103. The relay device 103 is provided with a plurality of physical ports to which cables from the mount connectors 206a to 206c provided in the storage units 201a to 201c are connected. This repeater 103 indicates the correspondence between the physical port and the radiation imaging unit, that is, the communication path of each radiation imaging unit, by specifying which signal from which radiation imaging unit is input from which physical port. Information is generated. The CPU 401 of the control device 104 receives such information from the second NIC 405 b. Information indicating the arrangement relationship is acquired from the information indicating the communication path obtained in this manner.

  The information indicating the arrangement relationship indicates the arrangement relationship of the plurality of radiation imaging units 102a to 102c used in the long-length imaging corresponding to the imaging information 506b, as indicated by the imaging information 506b on the display screen 500 of FIG. Displayed as information.

  In step S605, it is determined whether the irradiation switch is pressed. If the irradiation switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step S606.

  For example, a display based on the state of a plurality of radiation imaging units displayed on the display screen 500 is used to determine whether the irradiation switch should be pressed. That is, based on the state information from each of a plurality of radiation imaging units, it is determined whether any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the first state, or any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the second state. The display of a specific area of the display screen 500 is controlled depending on whether it is in the state of. This is as described in the display screen 500 of FIG.

  In step S606, the drive circuit 130 of the radiation imaging unit 102 reads out the image signal obtained by detecting the irradiated radiation by the readout circuit 170 and generates a digital radiation image.

  In step S 607, the wired communication circuit 160 or the wireless communication circuit 180 of the radiation imaging unit 102 transmits the generated digital radiation image to the control device 104. After transmitting a preview image with a small number of data, the plurality of radiation imaging units 102 transmit an image including the remaining data, and complete transmission of a radiation image obtained by imaging. Here, when the radiation image is transmitted by the wired communication circuit 160, each radiation imaging unit sequentially transmits the transmission of the preview image and the transmission of the image including the remaining data according to the reading of the image signal. Is used. Such transmission is performed asynchronously with other radiation imaging units. On the other hand, when transmitting an image by the wireless communication circuit 180, the transmission of the image including the remaining data is performed until the transmission of the preview image from all the radiation imaging units is completed in consideration of the problem of compression of the communication capacity. Limit.

  In step S608, the CPU 401 of the control device 104 performs image processing on a plurality of radiation images from a plurality of radiation imaging units using the GPU 406 or the like. Such processing is, for example, processing of generating a long image using the long image generation module 435 or processing of reducing an image of a structure using the correction module 436. In the process of step S608, first, processing for obtaining a preview long image from a plurality of preview images is performed, and then processing for obtaining a long image from a plurality of radiation images having a larger data amount than the preview image is performed. The arrangement information acquired in step S604 is used for this process. The process of reducing the image of the structure is performed on the radiation image specified based on the arrangement information using correction data for the process of reducing the structure image specified based on the arrangement information.

  In step S609, the CPU 401 causes the display unit to display the preview long image and the long image obtained by the processing by the GPU 406 or the like.

  In step S610, the CPU 401 determines whether there is an unphotographed photographing condition, and if so, the process advances to step S602 to perform long-length photographing based on the new photographing condition. If there is no unphotographed photographing condition, the CPU 401 determines in step S611 whether or not to end the examination. If the processing is not ended, processing is performed to add an imaging condition that has not been captured and to wait for an inspection end instruction (steps S610 and S611). Here, when the inspection end button 504 is pressed, the CPU 401 ends the inspection. In step S612, the CPU 401 causes the first NIC 405a to output a DICOM image file of a long image to the PACS 155. Thus, the examination including the long shooting is finished.

  In the above-described example, a plurality of long images are taken in one examination, but the invention is not limited to this and may be performed in one examination together with an imaging method different from the long photographing. As described above, in the case of an imaging system capable of long-length imaging, when performing long-length imaging, a signal for changing the state of a plurality of radiation imaging units is transmitted according to designation of imaging conditions. On the other hand, when performing imaging by a single radiation imaging unit such as normal imaging, a signal for changing the state of the single radiation imaging unit is transmitted according to designation of imaging conditions. Also, when performing long-length imaging, based on the status information from each of the plurality of radiation imaging units, any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the first state or any of the plurality of radiation imaging units Control the display depending on whether the thigh is in the second state. In the case of imaging using a single radiation imaging unit, information indicating the state of the single radiation imaging unit is displayed.

  Further, when performing long-length imaging, arrangement information indicating an arrangement relationship of a plurality of radiation imaging units 102 is acquired. A radiation image obtained from at least one radiation imaging unit specified based on the arrangement information is corrected based on correction data specified based on the arrangement information.

  In the case of long-length imaging, control is performed to limit image transmission according to the communication of another radiation imaging unit in consideration of the problem of compression of communication capacity. On the other hand, in the case of imaging using a single radiation imaging unit, priority is given to transmitting the image as soon as possible, so transmission of the image including the remaining data is performed in response to the end of transmission of the preview image. To be done.

  The function of the control device 104 according to the embodiment will be described based on FIG. The radiation imaging units 102a, 102b, and 102c and the control device 104 are connected by a wired or wireless network or a dedicated line, and images X-rays generated by the radiation generation unit 100. The control device 104 is a user who operates on a computer It is an application having an interface and outputs an image or a graphical user interface (GUI) to the touch panel monitor 108 while controlling the operations of the radiation imaging units 102a, 102b, 102c.

  The image data captured by the radiation imaging unit is image-processed by the control device 104 and displayed on the touch panel monitor 108. Thereafter, the image data is generally output to the outside via a network (not shown).

  The control device 104 includes first to third imaging unit control units 701a, 701b, and 701c, a console control unit 702, a long-sized imaging permission determination unit (determination unit) 703, and a display control unit 706. ing. The first to third imaging unit control units 701 a, 701 b, and 701 c correspond to the imaging control module 434 in FIG. 4, and the display control unit 706 corresponds to the display control module 433. The determination unit 703 and the console control unit 702 correspond to the communication control module 432 and the imaging control module 434. The first state display unit 705 and the second state display unit 704 indicate specific display areas of the display screen 500 displayed on the touch panel monitor 108. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first state display unit 705 and the second state display unit 704 are included in the control device 104, but as shown in FIG. 3, the display unit such as the touch panel monitor 108 is controlled. It may be provided as a device independent of the device 104.

  The determination unit 703 performs a first determination that any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units 102a to 102c is in the first state, based on the state information from each of the plurality of radiation imaging units 102a to 102c. And a second determination that all of the radiation imaging units are in the second state. Here, the first state is a state of each of the plurality of radiation imaging units, and indicates a state in which preparation for obtaining a radiation image is not in place. The second state refers to a state ready for obtaining a radiation image. Such state information is received from the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c as described above.

  The display control unit 706 controls the display of the touch panel monitor 108 according to whether the determination result by the determination unit 703 is the first determination or the second determination.

  The console control unit 702 performs control of operation of the control apparatus (console) 104 such as communication control and management of examination information (shooting information such as shooting conditions), data processing, image processing control, and the like.

  FIG. 11A is an example of a shooting screen GUI (display screen 500) displayed on the touch panel monitor 108 by the control device 104 according to the present embodiment. On the display screen 500, a state area 1101 for displaying the state of the radiation imaging unit 102a (102b, 102c), an image area for displaying a captured image obtained from the radiation imaging unit 102a (102b, 102c), and an examination under execution A subject area 502 for displaying subject information corresponding to a subject, a shooting information area 503 for displaying a shooting list, a thumbnail of a shot image, etc., and an end button 504 for instructing the end of the examination are displayed. There is. These GUIs are as described in FIG. In the image area, a long image obtained by long shooting is displayed.

  Here, in the state area 1101, when at least one of the plurality of radiation imaging units 102a to 102c is in the first state, the display of the first display mode is performed. Here, the display of the first display mode is a display indicating that radiation irradiation is not permitted because the radiation imaging unit 102 is not ready. For example, the text "Not Ready" is displayed in the status area 1101. In addition, the state area 1101 may be gray or black, or a cross may be displayed. Such a display may be called a not ready display. On the other hand, when the plurality of radiation imaging units 102a to 102c are all in the second state, the second display mode is displayed. The display of the second display mode is a display indicating that the radiation imaging unit 102 is ready and radiation irradiation is permitted. For example, in the status area 1101, the characters "Ready" are displayed. In addition, the state area 1101 may be green or blue, or a circle may be displayed. Such indication may be called a ready indication.

  Note that the above-mentioned status display is based on the status of the control device (console control section 702) 104 and the status of the radiation generation section 100 when communicating with the radiation generation section 100 as well as the status of the radiation imaging section 102a. May be displayed. For example, as the state of the console control unit 702, it is assumed that the imaging is not permitted in the case where one of the imaging condition and the information on the subject is not designated. This is because, when a radiation image is received in the first status, there is a possibility that the information of the subject to be associated with the radiation image and the imaging condition can not be specified. On the other hand, when the imaging condition and the subject information are the second status in which the imaging condition and the subject information are specified, imaging is permitted. As the state of the radiation generation unit 100, when the power can not be turned on to the radiation irradiation unit 100a, or in the case of the first status where the irradiation condition is not designated, the imaging is not permitted but the power is turned on and irradiation is performed. If the condition is the second status specified, the photographing may be permitted.

  Then, the display control unit 706 displays the state area 1101 when the state of the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c and the state of the control device 104 or the radiation generation unit 100 are both in the state where imaging is permitted. As a second display mode. By doing this, since the user can determine whether or not imaging is permitted by looking at the display of the state area 1101, it is possible to reduce the mistake of pressing the switch for irradiating the X-rays by mistake.

  Display processing according to the embodiment will be described according to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S801, it is determined by the long-length shooting permission determination unit 703 whether long-length shooting is performed. The console control unit 702 has a list of examinations currently being performed, and controls so as to sequentially capture uncaptured images. Next, when an image to be photographed is selected, it is judged whether or not the long photographing is performed. In the case of long-length imaging, a method in which a plurality of radiation imaging units are simultaneously used to perform imaging with one X-ray irradiation to synthesize an image, and imaging is performed by irradiating X-rays separately one by one and then synthesizing In this case, it is determined whether or not conditions for imaging with one X-ray irradiation are used. Information to be determined is set in advance for an image to be photographed for a long image, and it is necessary to be distinguishable if the photographing condition is seen. For example, a plurality of radiation imaging units to be used may be set.

If the radiation imaging unit is not ready for imaging at this time, a knot ready display is displayed in the status area 507. If the console control unit 20 is not ready for shooting even if shooting is possible, a knot ready display is performed. The not-ready display here is
As a result of the determination as to whether or not the long-length shooting is performed, step S 803 is processed if it is long-length shooting, and step S 802 is processed if it is not long-length shooting.

  In step S802, the radiation imaging unit status is displayed. In step S801, the console control unit controls the radiation imaging unit via the radiation imaging unit control unit according to the result of the determination made by the long-length imaging permission determination unit 703. In the case of not long-length imaging, since it is a method of imaging normally using one radiation imaging unit, the state of the target radiation imaging unit is displayed in the state area 507. This state is updated according to the state change of the radiation imaging unit.

  A ready request is issued to the radiation imaging unit used in step S803. Here, since it is a method of imaging with one X-ray irradiation using a plurality of radiation imaging units, control is performed so that state transition is possible to a plurality of radiation imaging units to be imaged. The control of the radiation imaging unit controls the radiation imaging unit from the console control unit 702 via the radiation imaging unit control units 701 a (701 b and 701 c). Usually, since the radiation imaging unit is in an imaging disabled state after imaging, it is necessary to control so as to be in an imaging enabled state. On the other hand, depending on the system configuration, there are cases where the radiation imaging unit automatically becomes capable of imaging again after imaging. In this case, control for making the radiation imaging unit ready for imaging is not necessary. However, since the console control unit 702 may not be in a state where it can accept imaging, in this case, the console control side is controlled so as to be in an imaging enabled state. In any case, the state area 507 does not indicate ready unless the radiation imaging unit and the console control are both in the imaging enable state.

  In step S804, the ready request result is confirmed. When the radiation imaging unit 102a (102b, 102c) is instructed to be in the imaging enable state, it is confirmed whether the imaging enable state is surely made. Several methods can be considered as the method of confirmation, but any of them can be realized by known techniques.

  In step S805, it is determined whether all the radiation imaging units used are ready. If all the results of the ready request in step S804 indicate that shooting is possible, the process of step S807 is performed. If one of the radiation imaging units 102a (102b and 102c) is not in the ready state, the processing of step S806 is performed. Even when the console control side is not in the imaging enabled state, the processing of step S806 is performed.

  Not ready display is displayed in S806. As a result of step S805, there is at least one radiation imaging unit that is not in the ready state in the radiation imaging units that are used in long-length imaging, so when X-rays are irradiated in this state, the radiation imaging that is not in the ready state Since the image formation of the part of the part is not made, it becomes invalid radiation. Therefore, the display control unit 706 causes the state area 1107 to display a not ready display.

  In this state, when the radiation imaging unit side changes the status regarding the imaging enabled state, step S804 is performed again. S804 is performed similarly, when a state change arises in the imaging | photography possible state by the side of console control.

  Display the ready in S807. Since all radiation imaging units used for imaging are in an imaging enabled state, information indicating that the radiation is ready is displayed on the second state display unit 704 in the status area 507.

  In this state, when the radiation imaging unit side changes the status regarding the imaging enabled state, step S804 is performed again. S804 is performed similarly, when a state change arises in the imaging | photography possible state by the side of console control.

  Display processing according to another embodiment will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. In this process, steps S901 and S902 are the same as steps S801 and S802 in the example shown in FIG. Further, the processing after step S906 is the same as the processing of step S803 of FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the state area 1101 is divided into areas 1106 to 1108 indicating the states of the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c.

  In step S903, the radiation imaging unit to be used is specified. The radiation imaging unit to be used is previously defined in the setting of the imaging conditions. For example, there are conditions such as the type of radiation imaging unit, whether to use two or three radiation imaging units, and whether the radiation imaging unit is oriented in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  In step S904, it is determined whether the used radiation imaging unit is in a connected state. In general, the console control unit 702 manages the state of the connected radiation imaging unit, and can know whether the connection state or the imaging available state. When the console control unit does not manage the state of the radiation imaging unit, the state is grasped by making an inquiry to grasp the state. If the state of each radiation imaging unit is known, it is determined whether the radiation imaging unit is in the connection state or in the disconnection state. If all the radiation imaging units are in the connected state, step S906 is executed. If there is at least one radiation imaging unit not connected, step S905 is executed.

  In step S 905, an indication of the unconnected state is displayed. Since there is a radiation imaging unit in an unconnected state, the second state display unit 704 of the radiation imaging unit is displayed as a not-ready state in the state area 507 as being unconnected. If there is a change in the connection state of the radiation imaging unit to be used, step S904 is executed. Since S906 and subsequent steps are the same as step S803 and subsequent steps of FIG. 8, the description will be omitted.

  Here, in one embodiment, the color of the regions 1106 to 1108 is determined such that any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the first state, or any one of the plurality of radiation imaging units is in the second state. Change the color depending on what you are. For example, the areas 1106 to 1108 are grayed out when imaging is not permitted, and green when imaging is permitted. By doing this, it is possible to easily display to the user whether shooting is possible or not.

  Display processing according to another embodiment will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. Steps S1001 to S1005 are the same as in the example of FIG.

  The status information (information indicating the status) of the radiation imaging unit used in S1006 is collected. The console control unit 702 normally manages information. The status information includes, for example, temperature information on the radiation imaging unit, information on whether or not the battery is driven, information on the remaining amount of battery in the case of battery operation, and radio wave information in the case of wireless communication. Other than this, the state of the radiation imaging unit such as the imaging enabled state and the error state, and the connection non-connection state with the console.

  The status acquired in S1007 is used to determine whether the information to be handled by AND operation or the information to be handled by OR operation when images are acquired by a plurality of radiation imaging units by single X-ray irradiation. For example, if there is a radiation imaging unit that is not capable of imaging at least one imaging enabled state, imaging should not be performed, and thus it is treated as a logical product. That is, the ready display is performed on the second state display only when all the radiation imaging units are in the imaging enable state. If even one is not ready for shooting, the second status display is not ready display. For example, as a battery status, a display 1201 indicating that the battery is fully charged, ie, level 3, a display 1202 indicating that the battery is in the level 2 condition reduced by one level from the fully charged condition, and a message indicating the level 1 condition It is assumed that a display 1203 and a display 1204 indicating the level 0 state are defined. Here, when the battery states of the plurality of radiation imaging units 102 a to 102 c are level 3, level 3, and level 3, respectively, the display is performed with level 3, that is, the display 1201. When the states of the radiation imaging units 102 a to 102 c are level 3, level 2 and level 1, respectively, they are displayed as level 1 or display 1203. That is, the state of the radiation imaging unit whose battery state is not the best is to be displayed, and if there is even one having a low level, the display corresponding to the low level is made. Similarly, regarding radio wave information, assuming that the radio wave intensity is expressed by a plurality of levels, if there is even one low level, the low status is adopted.

  In step S1008, display the status of the logical sum. Here, as an example, if there is a radiation imaging unit with a status of low level even if there is only one battery state, it is displayed on the second information display unit as low status. If a status change occurs in the displayed status, step S1006 is performed.

  At step S1009, the status of the logical product is displayed. Here, as an example, if the condition of all the radiation imaging units in the imaging enabled state does not satisfy the imaging enabled, it does not indicate that imaging is enabled. That is, the ready is displayed on the second information display unit only when all the radiation imaging units are in the imaging enable state. The disconnection status is also the same. If a status change occurs in the displayed status, step S1006 is performed.

  If it is determined in step S801, S901, S1001 or the like that the status area 507 is long-length shooting in the example of FIGS. 8 to 10, the display control section 706 displays the second status display section 704 in the image area. Do. When it is determined that the long-length imaging is not performed, the radiation imaging unit usually performs imaging in one. Therefore, the display control unit 706 relates to any one of the active radiation imaging units of the first state display units 705a to 705c. Display the status in the image area. Here, the image area is the same part.

  In other embodiments, the display control unit 706 displays the first state display unit even in the image area even in the case of long image capture. For example, when any of the radiation imaging units is not in the imaging enable state, or when there is an unconnected radiation imaging unit, the state of each of the radiation imaging units is displayed by displaying the first state. The example of FIG. 11B is an example of a GUI in which the first state display is displayed in the state area 507 in the case of long-length shooting. For example, the area 1106 displays the radiation imaging unit 102a, the area 1107 displays the radiation imaging unit 102b, and the area 1108 displays the radiation imaging unit 102c.

  Switching of these displays may be switched dynamically. That is, when step S 806 is performed as a result of the process of step S 805, if step S 905 is performed as a result of the process of step S 904, switching is performed when step S 909 is performed as a result of the process of step S 908. May be In the above-described example, the display control unit 706 dynamically switches between the first state display and the second state display. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the user usually performs a second state display by performing some action. A display area 609 or the like different from this is displayed, and since there are areas 1110, 1111, and 1112 of the first state display, 705a, 705b and 705c are displayed respectively.

  In addition, it is possible to construct a system so that the first status display and the second status display can always be displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 (d), the area for displaying the first status and the second Areas for displaying the status are provided separately. Here, the first state display is displayed in the areas 1113, 1114, and 1115. The second status display is displayed in the status area 1101.

  According to one of the above-described embodiments, erroneous radiation exposure can be prevented by displaying information that can be emitted when all the radiation imaging units are ready for imaging. In particular, when the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c and the radiation generation unit 100 do not communicate with each other, the radiation generation unit 100 receives radiation regardless of the state of the radiation imaging units 102a to 102c when the irradiation switch is pressed. It can be irradiated. In such a case, it is important from the viewpoint of prevention of false exposure to indicate whether imaging is possible or not, and it is significant to display imaging non-permission until the state of all the radiation imaging units is completed.

  Further, when there is an unconnected state, since the imaging state is not set, the process of setting the radiation imaging unit to the irradiation enabled state is skipped. As a result, there is an effect that the operation can be performed without the need for unnecessary waiting time and the like. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, since the status display adopts and displays a state requiring attention of the user action, there is an effect of reducing an operation error, an operation leak and the like. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 10, since it is possible to confirm and operate a user interface similar to that for long-length shooting and others, there is an effect that operation can be performed with a unified sense of operation. In another embodiment, since the abnormal state of the individual radiation imaging unit can also be grasped, there is an effect of improving the operability of the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, after transmitting the preview image having a smaller amount of data than the radiographic image obtained by imaging, the image (full image or second to fourth reduced images) including the remaining data is transmitted. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a radiation image may be transmitted without generating a preview image.

  Although the control device 104 in the above-described embodiment is a single device, in another embodiment, the control system including a plurality of information processing devices realizes the function of the imaging control device 104. In this case, each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses has a communication circuit, and the communication circuits can communicate with each other. One of the plurality of information processing apparatuses can function as an image processing unit that generates a long image, and another apparatus can function as a control unit. The plurality of information processing devices need only be able to communicate at a predetermined communication rate, and do not need to be present in the same hospital facility or in the same country. Further, in such a control system, for example, it is possible to make the image processing unit a server apparatus or a server group common to a plurality of control systems.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a program of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. Including the form.

  Therefore, the program code itself, which is installed on the computer to realize the processing according to the embodiment by the computer, is also one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the computer or the like operating on the computer performs a part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction included in the read program, and the processing of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. obtain.

  The form which combined the above-mentioned embodiment suitably is also contained in the embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (14)

A controller for long-length imaging using a plurality of radiation imaging units,
An acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the radiation imaging unit, state information indicating a state in which the radiation imaging unit permits irradiation of radiation or a state in which radiation irradiation is not permitted;
A determination unit that determines whether all of a plurality of radiation imaging units are allowed to emit radiation based on the state information acquired from the radiation imaging units;
And a display control unit configured to display on the display unit that long-length imaging is possible when all of the plurality of radiation imaging units permit radiation irradiation .
The display control means causes the display unit to display at least one of connection information with the control device, battery information, and communication information in the plurality of radiation imaging units. The plurality of radiation imaging units are first and second radiation imaging units,
The display control means
Based on the status information from each of the plurality of radiation imaging units,
In the second state in which the first radiation imaging unit permits irradiation of radiation, and in the first state in which the second radiation imaging unit does not permit irradiation of radiation , the specific region is designated as the first. Display in display mode,
The specific area is displayed in the first display mode when the first radiographic unit is said first state said second radiation imaging unit is in the second state,
When the first and second radiation imaging units are in the second state, the specific area is displayed in a second display mode different from the first display mode. The control device according to 1. The display control means may set the specific area in a first color as the first display mode.
Wherein the display control unit, the control apparatus according to claim 2, the specific area as the second display mode in the second color, wherein the display. The plurality of radiation imaging units include first and second radiation imaging units,
The display control means controls display of a specific area according to whether or not all of the plurality of radiation imaging units permit radiation irradiation ;
The display control means further displays a first area in which a display corresponding to the state of the first radiation imaging unit is displayed, and a display in which a display corresponding to the state of the second radiation imaging unit is displayed. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which controls display of the area. The plurality of radiation imaging units are first, second and third radiation imaging units,
The display control means is configured to display a first area in which a display corresponding to the state of the first radiation imaging unit is performed and a second area in which a display corresponding to the state of the second radiation imaging unit is performed. And display
Controlling the display of a third area in which the display corresponding to the state of the third radiation imaging unit is performed;
Under the control of the display control unit, the arrangement according to the arrangement relationship of the first, second and third radiation imaging units defined by a plurality of accommodation units accommodating the plurality of radiation imaging units The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the area, the second area, and the third area are displayed on the display unit. The display control means performs specific display control to control display of a specific area depending on whether or not all of the plurality of radiation imaging units permit radiation irradiation ,
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display control means further switches whether to perform the specific display control. It further comprises a designation means for designating imaging conditions including an imaging region of radiography,
The display control means displays the specific display according to whether the photographing condition designated by the designation means is a photographing condition for long photographing or a photographing method for photographing method other than the long photographing. The control device according to claim 6, wherein whether to perform control is switched. Each of the plurality of radiation imaging units performs a first mode for performing communication for synchronizing the generation of radiation by the radiation generation unit used for the long-length imaging and the states of the plurality of radiation imaging units, and the plurality of radiation imaging units. Each of the radiation imaging units operates in a second mode in which communication for synchronization is not performed;
When at least one of the plurality of radiation imaging units operates in the second mode, the display control means is at least according to whether or not all of the plurality of radiation imaging units permit radiation irradiation. The control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein specific display control is performed to control display of a specific area. A controller for long-length imaging using a plurality of radiation imaging units,
An acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the radiation imaging unit, state information indicating a state in which the radiation imaging unit permits irradiation of radiation or a state in which radiation irradiation is not permitted;
A determination unit that determines whether or not at least one of the plurality of radiation imaging units does not permit radiation irradiation based on the state information acquired from the radiation imaging unit;
Display control means for causing the display unit to display that the long imaging is not possible when at least one of the plurality of radiation imaging units does not allow radiation irradiation ;
The display control means causes the display unit to display at least one of connection information with the control device, battery information, and communication information in the plurality of radiation imaging units. A radiation imaging system for performing long-length imaging using a plurality of radiation imaging units,
An acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the radiation imaging unit, state information indicating a state in which the radiation imaging unit permits irradiation of radiation or a state in which radiation irradiation is not permitted;
A determination unit that determines whether all of a plurality of radiation imaging units are allowed to emit radiation based on the state information acquired from the radiation imaging units;
And a display control unit configured to display on the display unit that long-length imaging is possible when all of the plurality of radiation imaging units are permitted to emit radiation .
The radiation imaging system, wherein the display control means causes the display unit to display at least one of connection information with the control device, battery information, and communication information in the plurality of radiation imaging units . A radiation imaging system for performing long-length imaging using a plurality of radiation imaging units,
An acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the radiation imaging unit, state information indicating a state in which the radiation imaging unit permits irradiation of radiation or a state in which radiation irradiation is not permitted;
A determination unit that determines whether or not at least one of the plurality of radiation imaging units does not permit radiation irradiation based on the state information acquired from the radiation imaging unit;
Display control means for causing the display unit to display that the long imaging is not possible when at least one of the plurality of radiation imaging units does not allow radiation irradiation ;
The radiation imaging system, wherein the display control means causes the display unit to display at least one of connection information with the control device, battery information, and communication information in the plurality of radiation imaging units . A control method for long-length imaging using a plurality of radiation imaging units,
Acquiring, from the radiation imaging unit, state information indicating that the radiation imaging unit permits radiation irradiation or does not permit radiation irradiation;
Determining whether all of the plurality of radiation imaging units are allowed to emit radiation based on the state information acquired from the radiation imaging units;
Displaying on the display unit that long-length imaging is possible when all of the plurality of radiation imaging units permit radiation irradiation ;
And displaying at least one of connection information with the control device, battery information, and communication information in the plurality of radiation imaging units on the display unit . A control method for long-length imaging using a plurality of radiation imaging units,
Acquiring from the radiation imaging unit status information indicating that the radiation imaging unit permits radiation irradiation or does not permit radiation irradiation;
Determining whether or not at least one of the plurality of radiation imaging units does not allow radiation irradiation based on the state information acquired from the radiation imaging unit;
Displaying on the display unit that the long imaging is not possible when at least one of the plurality of radiation imaging units does not allow radiation irradiation ;
And displaying at least one of connection information with the control device, battery information, and communication information in the plurality of radiation imaging units on the display unit .   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 12 or 13.

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